*My affiliate links are used in this post. However this does not influence or change my opinion. Thanks for using them and helping support my family and my blog!*
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a one-pot easy and healthy weeknight dinner recipe. This version is a twist on the Italian classic with tomatoes, harissa, onion & garlic over whole wheat pasta.
I realized the other day that it had been wayyyy too long since I had posted a slow cooker recipe on the blog!! Why, you ask? I really don’t have an answer for that question. I guess it is just one of those things… But I really do love the convenience of a slow cooker! I mean what’s better than taking just 10 minutes or so in the morning, before you leave for work, to throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker and come home later than evening only to be greeted warmly by a healthy meal that is READY!?! I don’t know about you, but I AM IN!!!
So the idea for my Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore came from one of my cooking idols, Rachael Ray. I just love her show and her style of cooking!! She doesn’t measure anything, doesn’t bake (um…both describe me) and she is just real! I was watching her show and she cooked her Chicken Cacciatore with Roasted Peppers and it caught by eye 😆
I thought it was a great dinner idea, but I was going to be working late that night. Ding, ding, ding…how about the slow cooker? I could modify it to work in the slow cooker 🙂 I love her use of roasted bell peppers and chili peppers, but we didn’t have any and I didn’t have time to go to the store. Hmm…but I did have a tube of harissa paste in the frig! What is harissa, you ask? Harissa is a North African hot red sauce or paste whose main ingredients are chili peppers (often smoked or dried) and garlic. You can pick up some here: http://amzn.to/1VJruFm.
So a traditional Chicken Cacciatore, no…but but we really enjoyed it! It’s super easy version of the classic Italian favorite, but perfect for any of those crazy weeknights! Just take 10 minutes in the morning and dinner is done!
[bctt tweet=”Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a one-pot easy and healthy weeknight dinner recipe.”]
Here is your recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore:
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large, yellow onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 5-6 vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp. harissa paste
- 1 tsp. dried marjoram
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper, more or less depending on taste
- 1 dried bay leaf
- sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup dry red wine
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken stock
- 1 box (13.25 oz.) whole grain pasta
- Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flake for garnish
- Line a slow cooker bowl with a slow cooker liner or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add chicken to the bottom of the bowl.
- Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, harissa paste, marjoram, basil, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper (if using), salt, pepper and bay leaf to the chicken.
- Top with chicken broth and red wine, stir to combine.
- Cover and cook for 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low.
- Add dry pasta to the slow cooker, stir to combine. Cook on high for 30 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente.
- Serve with parmesan cheese or additional crushed red pepper flake.
- Suggested sides: Warm Whole Grain Bread and a Baby Kale Salad
So tell me, what is your favorite way to use your slow cooker?
*My affiliate links are used in this post. However this does not influence or change my opinion. Thanks for using them and helping support my family and my blog!*
I love Chicken cacciatore! What a great idea to make it in the crock pot, I never thought to do that! I am going to give this great recipe a try!
Cathy
That looks delicious. I am a big fan of chicken dinners in the crockpot. I have never had chicken cacciatore so I am definitely going to be making this soon!
I don’t believe I’ve ever tried harissa before but it’s definitely a sauce that I’ll be keeping my eye out for now! As a busy mama, I find slow cooker recipes are sometimes a HUGE blessing in the day. There are just so many times where I’m swamped during dinner prep and wish I could have taken care of it while my girls were still asleep in the morning.
That looks like its chalk full of flavor! I’m really liking all the seasoning in it. Love that you can crock pot it too!! I love using my crockpot!
I love using my slow cooker to make dinner! This sounds so good would be perfect for a quick dinner.
Only 10 minutes in the morning to get this great looking recipe? Count me in! We love Italian around here
Wow! I did not even know you can slow cook chicken cacciatore! Thanks for sharing your recipe. I am always looking for Slow Cook recipes because it’s so convenient but it delivers delicious meals!
me neither, she just opened a whole new world for me! it does look amazing
That looks sounds so amazing! I love to use my crockpot so I will definitely be trying this out! I always keep chicken breasts on hand in the freezer!
That looks amazing! I love chicken and pasta so this definitely takes the cake! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
This sounds delicious. I haven’t heard of Harissa before. I might try this recipe, we are tryin to eat healthier and this is a perfect recipe.
Oh my this looks so good–cooking the pasta in the pot is awesome!
It really looks amazing and delicious. My wife was a huge fan of chicken pasta and I bet she love this too
omg this looks delish! wish i have my slow cooker now coz i left it back in KL i guess time to buy a new one
I have never had chicken cacciatore, but it looks just scrumptious. I’d say my favorite thing to make in the slow cooker is roast.
Love this! Sounds yummy and great. I will try it soon.
I like that you made it so simply. I’d love to try it for the family.
This looks delish!! Oh yum I would love to recreate this!
This looks and sounds so yummy! I would love to make this and am saving the recipe for when we get a slow cooker.
My hubby used to watch Rachael Ray for cooking ideas – as he likes to surprise us with fun and different meals:)
Yummy! This one would be perfect for our family dinner tonight! For sure my family would love your recipe, I’ll print it thanks!
This recipe looks really good – I’ve never made Chicken Cacciatore before. I love using my slow cooker to make White Chicken Chili.
Yum… this recipe sounds tasty and easy to make! I love chicken